“For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
And yet we do. We submit to a yoke of slavery of some sort, over and over and over again. Many do not yet know Christ… and so they submit to these yokes of slavery unaware of what freedom is available to them in a Christ-filled life.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“For God so loved the world, that he gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
What a gift, that by His wounds, we are found new, we are healed, we are forgiven, and we are made free.
And yet many of us who profess our faith, who strive to fight the good fight and live a Christ-filled life, die daily to the temptations this world has to offer. Satan has made his place look pretty good. It’s enticing. It feels good. Everyone else is doing it, so why strive to be different? Why not fall into the worldly handouts rather than focus on what is eternal and divine. So we buy into it. That devil loves to make great promises. The result? Insecurity. Doubt. Failure. Brokenness. Unworthiness. Despair. And we yoke ourselves to it. It becomes what we feel and who we are, and before we know it, we don’t even recognize ourselves. What we thought were treasures were simply earthly values.
I am currently reading Beth Moore’s new book, So Long Insecurity and though I was a little skeptical it would be a lame “self-help” type book, in many ways, it has changed my life recently. It has certainly changed my year. It has been eye-opening for me to see myself for the insecure person that I truly am, yoking myself to anything that will help me to feel significant, important, and worthy,in the world’s view. As I live a life professing to be in Him, my thoughts have yoked on to things that are not of Him, that are not important to Him, and that do not breed strength and dignity.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity.” Proverbs 31:25
I am? Really? Oh…. Because if one were to see my “thought closet”, they would see that I am actually clothed in defeat, sorrow, frustration, pride, and well… pride. So whose clothes am I wearing?! Who am I choosing to believe? Beth writes, “All insecurity is a cover-up for unbelief.” I am immediately reminded of the father in Mark 9 who exclaimed to Jesus, “I do believe! Help me overcome my unbelief!”
And so I have pondered this Christ-given freedom a lot this week. I am free. I choose to submit to yokes of slavery and He offers me something so much better…
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11: 29-30
It sounds so easy, and yet we who are trying to live in this world and not of this world know better. It is hard. It is a daily struggle to fight the good fight and live for Him. But He offers us so much… His Word. I have found through my study of the Word this year that it is living, and He speaks to us through it, encouraging us and pruning us to be more Christ-like each day. He doesn’t leave us. He walks the road with us, nurturing us and growing us in Him.
I had a moment with Rush this week, where I was trying to convince him to ride his bike. It’s a small bike, with training wheels, so he really has nothing to be scared of, and yet he is petrified of it. I finally convinced him to get on, after promising many times I would not let go. I convinced him to let me walk him around the driveway twice, and I would not let go. As we walked, God spoke to me so clearly… “I will not let go…” I am free. And He is not going to let go.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
I also found an old favorite when I was cleaning out the car this week… a song by Jami Smith that speaks so much to the freedom that I know I have, but fail to live.
Waterfall
i need a hand to hold
one that won't pull away from me
and i need a smile
one that won't turn down on me
cause i need a reason
to put my feet on the floor
and i just want security, given for all eternity
you said you'd stay, one too many promises
that you made in vain
no offense but there is only one
there is only one, only one to depend upon
cause His love is forever
it's unlike anything that we know
how high, how low, how wide
how deep, how rich, how true, how strong
so take me where the water falls
down on me and washes me
take me where the water falls
down on me, and lead me to where i'm free
my freedom is in God my freedom is in God
Today I read Paul’s words in 2 Timothy to Timothy towards the end of Paul's mission:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8.
Do you think Paul was free?
She is clothed with strength and dignity.
YES. I am.
Praise you, Lord. Amen.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
"A thicker life" posted January 2009 on my personal blog...
As many of you know, our church recently welcomed a new head pastor. Those of you who are methodists know this practice all too well of rotating the pastors. Peachtree City UMC had Chuck for 11 years, up until this past May. Gregory and I are excited about Herzen Andone, our new pastor and what this season will bring for our church. A few weeks before Christmas I received a letter from Herzen asking me (along with others) to consider joining him on an endeavor to develop a new vision for our church, and what God's will is for the people of PTCUMC in this season of life. I was excited, humbled and nervous about the task that God had set before me. As part of this group, Herzen asked us each to read a book entitled, Death By Suburb, by David L. Goetz. I was excited to read this book, but discovered quickly that I would be challenged by the author's words more than ever in my adult life.
In this book, Goetz seeks the "thicker life", a spiritual life that goes deeper than the superficialness of life in the "suburbs." He writes, "The suburbs tend to produce inverse spiritual cripples. Suburbia is a flat world, in which the edges are clearly defined and the mysterious ocean is rarely explored. Every decision gets planned out, like the practice of registering at retail stores for one's wedding gifts. Only tragedy truly surprises. Too much of the good life ends up being toxic, deforming us spiritually." His response to this suburbia is not to move away from the hype and busyness, but to seek a deeper perspective, one that is Christ-like amidst this sin-stricken world. I like to put it as living in this world,but not of it. Goetz writes, "It's a higher existence, a plane where I am not the sum total of my house size, SUV, vacations, kids' report cards- and that which I still need to acquire." The challenge then, is to experience the presence of Christ amidst life in the suburb.
In his book, Goetz writes of eight spiritual practices or insights. These are simply "practices and perspectives that hold out the greatest possibility for transforming the bloated reality" we experience. Each chapter focuses on an "Environmental Toxin" and the spiritual practice we can use to combat it:
Environmental Toxin: "I am in control of my life"
Spiritual Practice: The prayer of silence
favorite quote: "As I grow tired of controlling my life, I wonder what it might mean to live with inner peace, the kind that comes only from God."
Environmental Toxin: "I am what I do and what I own."
Spiritual Practice: the journey through the self
favorite quote: "An immortality symbol is not really about the thing, It's about the glory that the thing bestows on me."
Environmental Toxin: "I want my neighbor's life"
Spiritual Practice: Friendship with those who have no immortality symbols
favorite quote: "The competitive environment of the suburbs tends to disable, with time, even the most genuine promise to live with the humility, service, and contentment God wants from us. And often without the victim noticing the change."
Environment Toxin: "My life should be easier than it is."
Spiritual Practice: Accepting my cross with grace and patience.
Favorite quote: God essentially said, "My grace is sufficient for you."
Environmental Toxin: "I need to make a difference with my life."
Spiritual Practice: Pursuing action, not results
Favorite Quote: "The fifth key spiritual practice is to move from the pursuit of significance in your life to simple obedience to the things of God."
Environmental Toxin: "My church is the problem"
Spiritual Practice: Staying put in your church.
Favorite Quote: "The real journey to God involves, at least in part, the relationships of the worshipping community."
Environmental Toxin: "What will this relationship do for me?"
Spiritual Practice: Building deep and meaningful friendships
Favorite Quote: "I live in spiritual poverty if my "starter castle" envy is so great that my Friends possess only the immortality symbols that I feel good about."
Environmental Toxin: "I need to get more done in less time."
Spiritual Practice: Falling in love with a day
Favorite Quote: "Million are the reasons why the suburbs seem to produce a class of folks who feel trapped. Perhaps it's the unlimited opportunities or the unchecked narcissism or the stubborn refusal to be left behind."
This weekend I attended a retreat with our pastor Herzen and the others who were called to discuss a vision. As we spent the past 24 hours in thought and discussion about this book, I had so many emotions going through my head. What a daunting task... to break free from these, and so many more, spiritual toxins that cause our souls to wither as we busy ourselves in this life. This book is a hard read... It challenges every aspect of your living, your thoughts, and your paradigm you have established for yourself. It makes you take a deep breath and a HUGE look inward to what it is that drives you, what it is that controls you, and what you put your "stock" in. It is my hope and my prayer that God will begin to chisel away at those things in my life, that He will replace those immortality symbols with Godly treasures that will glorify Him.
I have learned in the past few months that the road to a "thicker life" is paved with a true relationship with Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on me in all areas of my life.
"Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God." 1 Chronicles 22:19
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirst for God, for the living God." Psalm 42: 1,2
"Come near to God and He will come near to you." James 4:8
It consists of a daily walk with Him, immersing myself in His Word. Scripture is necessary in order to equip ourselves with the sword of the spirit. It is our only offensive weapon!
"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119: 9,11
It involves a conversation with Him, one that allows for response to Him after hearing and receiving His Word. He longs for our companionship.
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
"You do not have, because you don not ask God." James 4:2
"Pray continually." 1 Thessalonians 5:17
And it consists of living a spirit filled life... It is only by the Holy Spirit that I can aspire to live like Jesus. I take up my cross daily, striving to serve my God, thankful for His grace and His mercy, because it is sufficient.
"For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:5-6
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live,but Christ lives in me..." Galatians 2:20
God wants a relationship with us. If we seek Him, He will meet us, and in that meeting, I aspire to develop a thicker life. Don't you?
In this book, Goetz seeks the "thicker life", a spiritual life that goes deeper than the superficialness of life in the "suburbs." He writes, "The suburbs tend to produce inverse spiritual cripples. Suburbia is a flat world, in which the edges are clearly defined and the mysterious ocean is rarely explored. Every decision gets planned out, like the practice of registering at retail stores for one's wedding gifts. Only tragedy truly surprises. Too much of the good life ends up being toxic, deforming us spiritually." His response to this suburbia is not to move away from the hype and busyness, but to seek a deeper perspective, one that is Christ-like amidst this sin-stricken world. I like to put it as living in this world,but not of it. Goetz writes, "It's a higher existence, a plane where I am not the sum total of my house size, SUV, vacations, kids' report cards- and that which I still need to acquire." The challenge then, is to experience the presence of Christ amidst life in the suburb.
In his book, Goetz writes of eight spiritual practices or insights. These are simply "practices and perspectives that hold out the greatest possibility for transforming the bloated reality" we experience. Each chapter focuses on an "Environmental Toxin" and the spiritual practice we can use to combat it:
Environmental Toxin: "I am in control of my life"
Spiritual Practice: The prayer of silence
favorite quote: "As I grow tired of controlling my life, I wonder what it might mean to live with inner peace, the kind that comes only from God."
Environmental Toxin: "I am what I do and what I own."
Spiritual Practice: the journey through the self
favorite quote: "An immortality symbol is not really about the thing, It's about the glory that the thing bestows on me."
Environmental Toxin: "I want my neighbor's life"
Spiritual Practice: Friendship with those who have no immortality symbols
favorite quote: "The competitive environment of the suburbs tends to disable, with time, even the most genuine promise to live with the humility, service, and contentment God wants from us. And often without the victim noticing the change."
Environment Toxin: "My life should be easier than it is."
Spiritual Practice: Accepting my cross with grace and patience.
Favorite quote: God essentially said, "My grace is sufficient for you."
Environmental Toxin: "I need to make a difference with my life."
Spiritual Practice: Pursuing action, not results
Favorite Quote: "The fifth key spiritual practice is to move from the pursuit of significance in your life to simple obedience to the things of God."
Environmental Toxin: "My church is the problem"
Spiritual Practice: Staying put in your church.
Favorite Quote: "The real journey to God involves, at least in part, the relationships of the worshipping community."
Environmental Toxin: "What will this relationship do for me?"
Spiritual Practice: Building deep and meaningful friendships
Favorite Quote: "I live in spiritual poverty if my "starter castle" envy is so great that my Friends possess only the immortality symbols that I feel good about."
Environmental Toxin: "I need to get more done in less time."
Spiritual Practice: Falling in love with a day
Favorite Quote: "Million are the reasons why the suburbs seem to produce a class of folks who feel trapped. Perhaps it's the unlimited opportunities or the unchecked narcissism or the stubborn refusal to be left behind."
This weekend I attended a retreat with our pastor Herzen and the others who were called to discuss a vision. As we spent the past 24 hours in thought and discussion about this book, I had so many emotions going through my head. What a daunting task... to break free from these, and so many more, spiritual toxins that cause our souls to wither as we busy ourselves in this life. This book is a hard read... It challenges every aspect of your living, your thoughts, and your paradigm you have established for yourself. It makes you take a deep breath and a HUGE look inward to what it is that drives you, what it is that controls you, and what you put your "stock" in. It is my hope and my prayer that God will begin to chisel away at those things in my life, that He will replace those immortality symbols with Godly treasures that will glorify Him.
I have learned in the past few months that the road to a "thicker life" is paved with a true relationship with Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on me in all areas of my life.
"Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God." 1 Chronicles 22:19
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirst for God, for the living God." Psalm 42: 1,2
"Come near to God and He will come near to you." James 4:8
It consists of a daily walk with Him, immersing myself in His Word. Scripture is necessary in order to equip ourselves with the sword of the spirit. It is our only offensive weapon!
"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119: 9,11
It involves a conversation with Him, one that allows for response to Him after hearing and receiving His Word. He longs for our companionship.
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
"You do not have, because you don not ask God." James 4:2
"Pray continually." 1 Thessalonians 5:17
And it consists of living a spirit filled life... It is only by the Holy Spirit that I can aspire to live like Jesus. I take up my cross daily, striving to serve my God, thankful for His grace and His mercy, because it is sufficient.
"For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:5-6
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live,but Christ lives in me..." Galatians 2:20
God wants a relationship with us. If we seek Him, He will meet us, and in that meeting, I aspire to develop a thicker life. Don't you?
Monday, January 4, 2010
A "Haggai" New Year!
I have been reflecting on New Year's all weekend, and well, just haven't felt really motivated to come up with "resolutions." Sure, I'm going to commit to getting back into my workouts each morning, as I have negleted those the past month, but that's a given. That's easy. I feel like a "resolution" should be something I truly "resolve" to do, and in some ways, I feel like I'm doing that all the time. Everytime I mess up, which is pretty often, I "resolve" not to do that again. So thinking of specific resolutions for New Year's is a bit exhausting to me. It just makes me tired thinking about having more "to do"... more to "work on". So I said a few "minute" prayers to God throughout the past few days... "Lord, show me areas of my life where I might need a "resolution" to be renewed, changed, or strengthened," or "Lord, give me a great "idea" or "task" that you are calling me to do, and let me set to it." Hmm. I just wasn't feeling it. Not really in the mood for "New Year's" this year, I guess.
He is so faithful. Today the Lord lead me to Haggai, (yes, that's a book in the Bible) and it became pretty clear, pretty fast that the Lord was speaking a "Haggai New Year's" to me. In case you are not familiar with Haggai, as I was not, he was the first of the post-exilic prohets. (meaning the time period when the Jews began to return to Judah after being exiled to Babylon for 2-3 generations. They were allowed to return and called on to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.) So upon that return to Judah, the Jews began to rebuild their temple, but did not complete it. Through the ministry of Haggai, (and some other prophets) the Jews were motivated and the temple was completed.
Oh how true is that for me. I allow so many commitments to take precedence over my time. I give in to the demands and expectations or work, church, family, hobbies, meetings, etc. only to have left the bare minimum for God, and that's on a good day. Our values and priorities are reflected in how we live, what we say, and what we choose to do. I know what I should be doing... how I should be living... how important my quiet time is, my prayer time, and my listening to Him, but do I always do it. I "resolve" to over and over, sometimes successful, sometimes not.
But God calls me to continue in this relationship with Him. Do not get discouraged by my own failures or sturggles in this walk, but persevere. Press on in the race before me, continue to take up my cross, seeking Him wholeheartedly. To let my struggles, imperfections, and small failures get the best of me would be to give in to pride and sin.
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11
What does this have to do with Haggai the prophet? He is calling the Jews to continue a great work. To reassess their priorties and focus on rebuilding something that matters. The House of the Lord. For us, that is our hearts. God is continually calling me to return to that place with Him, to prune, rebuild, renew, and grow.
"Then the word of the Lord came through the prohet Haggai: "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" Now this is what the Lord Almight says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." 3-6.
Once again, I am reminded that my heart needs a little dusting. I need to reassess priorties and recognize that though I may mess up, God is doing a great work in me. I will confess my sins, and try again. For to give up because I cannot attain perfection is not a choice. For God promises perfection in the end for those who seek Him.
"This is what the Lord Almighty says: Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord." 7-8.
So my New Year's Resolution is this: I will continue to nurture my relationship with Him, for only through Him will I be able to let go of those things I cannot change or control. In that, true Freedom comes, and blessings will be found abundant.
"So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith." (Galatians 6:9,10)
I was touched when I read THIS today... Go here and be blessed.
He is so faithful. Today the Lord lead me to Haggai, (yes, that's a book in the Bible) and it became pretty clear, pretty fast that the Lord was speaking a "Haggai New Year's" to me. In case you are not familiar with Haggai, as I was not, he was the first of the post-exilic prohets. (meaning the time period when the Jews began to return to Judah after being exiled to Babylon for 2-3 generations. They were allowed to return and called on to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.) So upon that return to Judah, the Jews began to rebuild their temple, but did not complete it. Through the ministry of Haggai, (and some other prophets) the Jews were motivated and the temple was completed.
Oh how true is that for me. I allow so many commitments to take precedence over my time. I give in to the demands and expectations or work, church, family, hobbies, meetings, etc. only to have left the bare minimum for God, and that's on a good day. Our values and priorities are reflected in how we live, what we say, and what we choose to do. I know what I should be doing... how I should be living... how important my quiet time is, my prayer time, and my listening to Him, but do I always do it. I "resolve" to over and over, sometimes successful, sometimes not.
But God calls me to continue in this relationship with Him. Do not get discouraged by my own failures or sturggles in this walk, but persevere. Press on in the race before me, continue to take up my cross, seeking Him wholeheartedly. To let my struggles, imperfections, and small failures get the best of me would be to give in to pride and sin.
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11
What does this have to do with Haggai the prophet? He is calling the Jews to continue a great work. To reassess their priorties and focus on rebuilding something that matters. The House of the Lord. For us, that is our hearts. God is continually calling me to return to that place with Him, to prune, rebuild, renew, and grow.
"Then the word of the Lord came through the prohet Haggai: "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" Now this is what the Lord Almight says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." 3-6.
Once again, I am reminded that my heart needs a little dusting. I need to reassess priorties and recognize that though I may mess up, God is doing a great work in me. I will confess my sins, and try again. For to give up because I cannot attain perfection is not a choice. For God promises perfection in the end for those who seek Him.
"This is what the Lord Almighty says: Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord." 7-8.
So my New Year's Resolution is this: I will continue to nurture my relationship with Him, for only through Him will I be able to let go of those things I cannot change or control. In that, true Freedom comes, and blessings will be found abundant.
"So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith." (Galatians 6:9,10)
I was touched when I read THIS today... Go here and be blessed.
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